Interspecific tree named ‘Malibu’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Tree with vigorous, semi-spreading growth habit.   2. Tree having a heavy and regular production of fruit.   3. Fruit with an attractive orange/yellow skin color.   4. Fruit having a good balance between acid and sugar with an average Brix of 17.0°.   5. Fruit with good handling and shipping qualities.

Botanical designation:

Interspecific Prunus species.

Variety denomination: ‘Malibu’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuing plant-breeding program including the organization and asexual reproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It was against this background of our activities that the present variety of interspecific tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among the existing varieties of interspecific trees, which are known to us, and mentioned herein, ‘Cot-N-Candy’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,827), ‘Escort’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,537) and the proprietary non-patented interspecific selection ‘42ZC692’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new variety of interspecific tree, a combination of crosses between (Prunus armeniaca and Prunus salicina) was originated by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif. from an open pollinated non-patented interspecific seedling selection with the field identification number ‘42ZC692’. The seed parent (42ZC692) originated from an open pollinated seedling selection from ‘Cot-N-Candy’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,827). A large number of these open pollinated seedlings were budded on established trees of ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented) to enhance earlier fruit production and under close and careful observation the present seedling exhibited desirable fruit and tree characteristics and was selected in 2003 for additional asexual propagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

In 2003 asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of interspecific tree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), as performed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present variety of interspecific tree [Apricot×((Plum×Plumcot)×Plumcot)×Apricot]×[unknown pollen] is of medium size, vigorous, semi-spreading growth and a regular and productive bearer of medium size, orange/yellow flesh, freestone fruit with a good balance between acid and sugar and very good flavor and eating quality. The fruit is further characterized by having an attractive orange/yellow skin color with good handling and storage quality. In comparison to its non-patented interspecific seed parent (42ZC692) the fruit of the new variety has a higher degree of Brix of 17.0° compared to 14.6° and is approximately 7 days earlier in maturity. In comparison to its ancestor ‘Cot-N-Candy’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,827) the fruit of the new variety has orange/yellow flesh compared to white. In comparison to the commercial variety ‘Escort’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,537) the fruit of the new variety has improved flavor and eating quality and is approximately 6 days later in maturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimens of the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. The illustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, an exterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shipping ripe) from a 7 year old tree and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of 7 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color in accordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Medium to large, usually pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in             height and width for economical harvesting of fruit. Size             varies with different cultural practices.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth of 1.5 to 2 meters in height the             first growing season. Varies with soil type, fertility of             soil and cultural practices.         -   Form.—Semi-spreading, usually pruned to vase shape.         -   Branching habit.—Semi-spreading, crotch angle approximately             35°, increases with heavy crop load.         -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit             necessary for desired market size. Fruit set varies with             climatic conditions during bloom time.         -   Bearer.—Regular, adequate fruit set 5 consecutive years. No             alternate bearing observed.         -   Fertility.—Self-fertile, sets fruit under bag.         -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to allow             more sunlight to center of tree to enhance fruit color and             health of fruit spurs.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of             California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter             chilling requirement approximately 800 hours at or below 45°             F. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Large. Average circumference 58.4 cm at 20.2 cm above             ground on a 7 year old tree.         -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.         -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.         -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 2/2 to 10YR 4/2. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average circumference 30.5 cm at 1.2             meters above ground. Crotch angle approximately 35°,             increases with heavy crop load.         -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth             medium rough, roughness increases with age.         -   Lenticels.—Average number 31 in a 25.8 sq cm area. Average             length 2.8 mm. Average width 1.7 mm. Color varies from 2.5Y             8/4 to 2.5Y 7/4.         -   Color.—New growth varies from 2.5YR 3/4 to 5GY 4/6. Mature             growth varies from 5YR 3/2 to 7.5YR 2/2, varies with age of             growth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 94.0 mm. Average width 80.1 mm.         -   Form.—Ovate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Doubly serrate.         -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight             indentations over midrib and leaf veins. Lower surface             relatively smooth, except for small ridges created by midrib             and pinnate venation. Both upper and lower surfaces             glabrous.         -   Petiole.—Average length 32.6 mm. Average width 1.8 mm.             Longitudinally grooved. Surface — very finely pubescent.             Color varies from 7.5R 4/8 to 7.5R 3/8.         -   Glands.—Type — globose. Size — small. Average length 0.8 mm.             Average diameter 0.7 mm. Average number 2, varies from 1             to 4. Located primarily on the upper portion of the petiole             and base of leaf blade. Color varies from 7.5R 3/6 to 7.5R             2/8.         -   Stipules.—None present at the time of measurement.         -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 5GY 3/6 to 7.5GY 4/4. Lower             surface varies from 5GY 5/4 to 7.5GY 5/4. Midvein color             varies from 2.5GY 9/2 to 7.5R 4/8. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 15.4 mm. Average             diameter 10.0 mm.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.         -   Density.—Dense.         -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated just before opening.         -   Pedicel.—Average length 2.0 mm. Average width 1.6 mm. Color             varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 5GY 6/6. Surface glabrous.         -   Color.—Varies from 7.5RP 6/12 to N 9.5/ (white).         -   Number of buds per spur.—Varies from 7 to 14, average             number 11. Varies with age of spur. -   Flowers:     -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 21, 2014. Date of             Petal Fall Mar. 2, 2014, varies slightly with climatic             conditions.         -   Size.—Medium to large. Average height 19.1 mm. Average             diameter 25.2 mm.         -   Petals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Size —             medium to large. Average length 14.7 mm. Average width             15.0 mm. Shape — orbicular. Arrangement — overlapping.             Margin — sinuate. Petal apex — rounded. Petal base — rounded             to somewhat truncated. Color varies from 5RP 9/2 to N 9.5/             (white), fades with age of flower. Both upper and lower             surfaces glabrous.         -   Sepals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to petals. Size —             large. Average length 6.3 mm. Average width 5.3 mm. Shape —             ovate. Margin — entire. Apex rounded to triangular. Both             upper and lower surfaces glabrous. Color — upper surface             varies from 2.5R 3/6 to 2.5R 3/8. Lower surface varies from             2.5R 3/8 to 5R 3/10.         -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 37. Average filament             length 11.6 mm. On average, the stamens are above the height             of the petals. Filament color N 9.5/ (white). Anther color             varies from 5Y 8/8 to 5Y 8/10.         -   Pollen.—Self-fertile, fruit set while under bag. Color             varies from 5Y 7/8 to 5Y 7/10.         -   Pistil.—Number — normally one. Surface — pubescent. Average             length 17.1 mm. Position of stigma even with anthers. Color             varies from 7.5Y 8.5/4 to 10Y 8.5/4.         -   Fragrance.—Heavy.         -   Color.—Varies from 5RP 9/2 to N 9.5/ (white). Varies with             age of flower.         -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Average 3, varies from 2 to             4.         -   Pedicel.—Average length 2.3 mm. Average width 1.9 mm. Color             varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 5GY 6/6. Surface glabrous. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe and ready for             consumption.         -   Date of first picking.—Jun. 8, 2014.         -   Date of last picking.—Jun. 18, 2014, varies slightly with             climatic conditions.         -   Size.—Medium. Average diameter axially 53.2 mm. Average             transversely in suture plane 54.8 mm. Average across the             suture plane 53.7 mm. Average weight 88.0 grams, varies             slightly with fertility of the soil, amount of thinning and             climatic conditions.         -   Form.—Globose to slightly elongated.         -   Suture.—Slightly lipped.         -   Ventral surface.—Slightly lipped.         -   Apex.—Slightly retuse.         -   Base.—Retuse.         -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.             Average depth 5.0 mm. Average diameter 5.2 mm. -   Stem:     -   -   Size.—Small. Average length 6.7 mm. Average diameter 3.4 mm.         -   Color.—Varies from 2.5GY 5/8 to 5GY 5/8. -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.         -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.         -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.         -   Firmness.—Good, comparable to other commercial apricot             varieties.         -   Aroma.—Slight.         -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.         -   Eating quality.—Very good.         -   Flavor.—Very good. Good balance between acid and sugar.         -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.         -   Acidity.—Not available.         -   Brix.—Average Brix 17.0°, varies slightly with amount of             fruit per tree and climatic conditions.         -   Pit cavity.—Average length 26.0 mm. Average width 24.7 mm.             Average depth 8.8 mm. Color varies from 5YR 7/10 to 5YR             6/10.         -   Color.—Varies from 5YR 6/12 to 7.5YR 7/10. -   Skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface.—Smooth to slightly waffled.         -   Pubescence.—Finely pubescent.         -   Tendency to crack.—None.         -   Color.—Ground color varies from 5YR 7/10 to 7.5YR 7/10.             Partially overspread with 7.5R 5/8 to 7.5R 5/10.         -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.         -   Astringency.—Undetected. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Freestone, weak adherence.         -   Size.—Large. Average length 24.6 mm. Average width 20.5 mm.             Average thickness 13.5 mm.         -   Form.—Ovoid.         -   Base.—Flat.         -   Apex.—Rounded.         -   Surface.—Slightly pitted throughout, a shallow groove on             each side extending from base to apex.         -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further from the suture             plane.         -   Ridges.—Relatively smooth, extending from base to apex.         -   Tendency to split.—None.         -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 3/2 to 7.5YR 3/4 when dry. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 18.6 mm. Average width 13.5 mm.             Average depth 8.2 mm.         -   Form.—Ovoid.         -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo development.         -   Skin color.—Varies from 5Y 9/2 to 5Y 8.5/2. -   Use: Dessert.     -   -   Market.—Local and long distance. -   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage for 3 weeks at 38°     to 42° F. without internal breakdown of flesh or appreciable loss of     flavor. -   Shipping quality: Good, minimal skin scarring or flesh bruising     during picking, packing and shipping trials. -   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing     for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been     designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and     harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions     near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance     or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection     observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal     fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and     eliminated from our breeding program. No atypical     resistances/susceptibilities have been noted under normal cultural     practices. The present new variety of interspecific tree, its     flowers, foliage and fruit herein described may vary in slight     detail due to climate, soil conditions and cultural practices under     which the variety may be grown. The present description is that of     the variety grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near     Modesto, Calif. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, substantially as illustrated and described. 